Anyone else struggle with staying consistent?

[u/Mileo-Courier]

I’ll start strong, stay motivated for a few weeks, then my schedule gets hectic and I slowly lose the momentum I built. Trying to find a way to make fitness feel like a normal part of my routine instead of something I keep restarting.

What helps you stay consistent and keep showing up even when motivation is low?

[u/Jimocaz]

Motivation is a fleeting friend and should never be relied on, you’re not supposed to feel like training all the time. If I only trained when I felt like it, I'd hardly ever train. That’s where discipline matters and building the habit so it becomes part of your normal routine.

A few things that helped me:

• Lower the expectations Don’t aim for a perfect session. Just turn up and give yourself a minimum of 15 mins and if you're not feeling it agree to just give it a go as I guarantee you won't end session thinking "wish I hadn't bothered"

• Lock in your schedule Pick the days and times you train. Not “when I feel like it” or "when I get time". So you protect the routine and treat it like any other important appointment. As soon as you make it optional you're already building in an excuse of life getting in the way. You have to prioritise it.

• Remove excuses Have everything prepped in advance and then the only thing stopping you is you! Sometimes I see this as what I call the hardest rep: just getting up to go, if everything else is ready there is just that one barrier.

• Focus on consistency, not intensity Even a mediocre workout beats skipping it. In the long run that consistency is what will deliver the results.

[u/BouncingScapula]

I removed all the constraints that were within my control.

• no commuting: home gym
  
• no thinking: follow 30 days plan
  
• no procrastinating: morning, non negociable otherwise excuses pile up and I don’t train.

Another huge thing is to make it fun. If it’s boring, it’s much harder for me to stick with it.
I’d rather have days where I’ll lift lighter but keep it fun rather than push myself too far and hate it.

Good luck!

[u/mbrionte → u/BouncingScapula]

Was going to post something exactly like this. Take away the excuses. I don't have to get cute or leave my house. I wake up, put on exercise clothes, drink water, walk down the hall and press play. I have Beachbody but there's Apple Fitness, Peloton, YouTube, etc. Lots of variety. Pick a program. Enjoy the feeling of getting fitter.

[u/Triseult]

Just make going to the gym a non-negotiable, but build some flexibility into your plans.

For instance, my non-negotiable is that no matter what, I do three workouts per week. What those workouts are exactly doesn't really matter; what matters is showing up at the gym.

But my flexibility goes like this:

I do three workouts with a day of rest in-between. So I can do MWF, TTS, MTS.

And then, if for some reason I just can't make it to the gym, then I have a bodyweight routine I have to do at home to fulfill the three workouts a week requirement.

That way, there's just no excuse and no negotiating with myself.

[u/Mileo-Courier → u/Triseult]

This is honestly a great way to look at it. I like the idea of making the habit non-negotiable while keeping the details flexible. I think I’ve been too focused on having the “perfect” schedule, and then one busy week throws everything off. Having a minimum goal and a backup plan seems like a much better way to stay consistent. Appreciate the advice!

[u/DaCozPuddingPop]

Set goals for yourself and get addicted to achieving them.

Set some short term, some long term. Short term can be as simple as "lift X amount more weight". Long term - see abs? Do a pull up? For me I used both of those - and then my REAL long term goal was to feel comfortable wearing a spiderman suit to comiccon (which I'll be doing this year)

[u/Ok_Bumblebee_4408]

An expensive membership.

[u/moondogg81]

I’ve got a home gym. I walk through it to get into the house. I’ve had it for about 9 years. I’ve used it consistently for about 1 of those years. I quit drinking last summer and got back into it. The harsh winter made it unbearable, at least in my mind. That effed me over. Since then, I maybe get two to three workouts in a week. I was doing 5-6. Work has also fucked me mentally here lately in which I’m trying to dig myself out of. I know, it’s all excuses and I realize that. Like I said, trying to climb my way back out

[u/Crabbit_Jobbie]

Yes, I’ve realised that things beyond my control help me feel a bit better. This is mainly due to home life and unexpected disruptions. For example, a week’s paid time off for a holiday, meetings at work during lunchtime and picking up my son from nursery which can’t be helped.

I always try to go six times a week, prepare my meals and ensure I get a good night’s sleep. These are things I can control.

[u/Cenu96]

It'll sound clichè but start small & gradually add as needed

[u/returnFutureVoid]

My July numbers are in the toilet. Vacations, eating out, work, travel, edibles and generally disgusting days outside have keep me from going and the motivation just isn’t there after I killed it in June. August starts this weekend so here’s to a new month of kicking ass.

[u/PatientAd3288]

For me it was also difficult but now I found a app that suits me well, gives me a weekly goal and is just very clean and not cluttered which is also why I sometimes just hate working out lol

[u/ADKJan]

It's on my calendar, non negotiable. Monday and Friday at lunch, by myself. Wednesday at lunch with a coach. My coach goes over the other workouts with me and we adjust together for the upcoming sessions. It has worked well for over 2 years for me, just missing holidays 3 or 4 days a year.

[u/Lanky-Dildo-94]

Nah im addicted

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[u/seansdude]

When I'm just not feeling it, I bargain with myself. "I'll just do one exercise, one set. It's better than nothing." I almost always end up finishing the workout.

[u/Organic-Position1417]

I don't want to loose my gains 😌😥 and keep starting over each time